Northern Ireland committee

Mental Health Foundation

Julie Harrison — Northern Ireland Chair

Julie has helped to shape community regeneration and social inclusion programmes in Northern Ireland for more than two decades.

"I have seen the impact that projects supported by The National Lottery Community Fund can make in communities. I am delighted to be part of the Fund at a time when the vision bring people together, to make good things happen and to help communities thrive is taking shape”.

In a variety of policy, grant-making and advisory roles, she has worked with local and central government, independent funders and VCSE organisations to support social change.

Her grant-making experience includes the provision of funding and advice to VCSE led projects with the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, the Special EU Programmes Body and the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.

Julie previously served on The National Lottery Community Fund’s Northern Ireland and UK Funding Committees and was a Director of the Building Change Trust, chairing the ‘Inspiring Impact’ advisory group.

She is currently a Strategic Adviser with the Strategic Investment Board.

Dr Michael Dobbins

Dr Michael Dobbins is the Principal of Ardnashee School and College and is founder and Chair of Liberty Consortium in Derry/Londonderry, an award-winning, nationally recognised, multi-sectoral body promoting inclusive play, community infrastructure and quality services for children and adults with learning disabilities.

"I am very excited about joining the team at The National Lottery Community Fund and supporting our work in enhancing local communities. It is also a great honour to be able to work for an organisation that puts communities first and I look forward to taking up my responsibilities."

He has published several papers in internationally peer-reviewed journals in both Europe and North America, authored and co-authored several reports and is the author of the book ‘Learning to Enable’. He is a former NI Head Teacher of the Year recipient and the Biggar Award for excellence in educational research, as well as The Inspiring Educator Award, Derry People of the Year Awards.

Tony Doherty

Tony Doherty is the Regional Co-ordinator of the Healthy Living Centre's Alliance. His previous role from 2002 to 2014 was General Manager of the award-winning Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum in Derry and was responsible for the conversion of Derry’s former Gasyard site on Lecky Road for community, cultural and educational regeneration.

"I am delighted to be appointed to The National Lottery Community Fund's NI Committee. Over the years of working within the community sector I have witnessed how

neighbourhoods, towns and villages have been transformed by the Fund’s support. I am particularly interested in how The National Lottery Community Fund can continue to work with others to overcome the grinding effects of social inequality in our society."

Tony is Chair of the Northern Integrated Care Partnership (ICP), a local driver in the transformation of the health service, and is a member of the Transition Leadership Group for ICP Development. He has forged strong links with GP Federations bringing general practice closer to community development and social prescribing and is currently working to establish an all-Ireland Social Prescribing Network. Tony is a member of a Programme for Government Implementation Group re Expansion of Community Development Approaches to Health & Wellbeing.

He is a part-time writer of memoir, having published his first book This Man’s Wee Boy to critical acclaim in 2016. His second book The Dead Beside Us was published in October 2017 and he’s due to complete the final part of his trilogy in October 2019.

Charlie Mack

Charlie has worked as a director in a number of large UK voluntary sector organisations and is currently Chief Executive of the Extern Group. Previously he worked at RNIB as NI Director and subsequently UK Group Director.

"I am privileged to be appointed to The National Lottery Community Fund to play my part in building a better Northern Ireland. The National Lottery Community Fund has an important role to play in empowering people most in need across Northern Ireland. I am looking forward to helping to make decisions that will support people to improve their lives and build better communities."

He has worked at a senior level in local government and the private sector in England before taking up a career in the voluntary sector. He is a Non-Executive Member of the Local Government Staff Commission and was previously a Committee Chair at the NI Social Care Council. Charlie is also a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Sandra McNamee

Sandra has a wealth of experience, spanning over twenty years, of working in the community and voluntary sector, in particular the children's and women’s sectors. Her previous roles include Management Coordinator at North Down and Ards Women’s Aid and Business Manager at NSPCC. Additionally Sandra has held the position of Non-Executive Director for two well-established charities in Northern Ireland.

In her current role as an Independent Management Consultant, Sandra works with clients across the voluntary, community and public sectors, to provide a range of consultancy solutions, which help organisations reach their potential and create positive change in their communities. Sandra has a particular interest in service evaluation and performance measurement, especially in relation to supporting organisations to capture social impact.

Sandra also has a keen interest in promoting children and young people’s rights, in particular rights relating to participation and engagement. She has a passion for working with children and young people, to raise awareness of keeping safe, and to empower them to access support when needed.

"I am absolutely delighted to be appointed to The National Lottery Community Fund NI Committee. Over the years I have seen the huge impact The National Lottery Community Fund can make in tackling disadvantage and bringing real improvements to those who are most in need. I look forward to taking up this role and to playing my part in the delivery of our new and exciting strategic framework and vision, which clearly puts people in the lead."

Eileen Mullan

Eileen has worked within and for the public, voluntary and community sectors for over eighteen years. During that time she has been privileged to be a part of many projects that impacted greatly on communities across Northern Ireland. They have included projects focused on access to education, the environment, enterprise development in areas of social disadvantage along with equality and diversity.

"I am delighted to have been appointed to the NI Committee of The National Lottery Community Fund. I have watched the impact this Fund has made across communities over the last ten years and have seen the real tangible benefits from it. I look forward to continuing this great work and being a part of The National Lottery Community Fund’s next chapter.”

Eileen is a trusted advisor to leading NI boards and a coach who has worked with leaders across the public and third sectors. Founder of Strictly Boardroom and the Boardroom Apprentice, enabling and empowering the next generation of decision makers. She holds an MSc in Management and Corporate Governance along with an IOD Diploma in Company Direction. Eileen holds Non Executive roles within Health and Regulation and is a powerhouse in advocating for diversity and a champion for change.